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awwstin
05-17-2012, 19:56
I see rei has a steripen on sale tomorrow. Anyone have any advice. Positive or negative?

ParkRat09
05-17-2012, 20:06
What kind is it? Adventurer? Traveler? Emergency, etc?

awwstin
05-17-2012, 20:07
Adventure opti.

ParkRat09
05-17-2012, 20:12
Good that's the best one in my opinion...how much is it? What's your ques about it?

awwstin
05-17-2012, 20:15
It's on sale for $65 plus my 20% off rei member coupon. I just want to be sure it wont break and leave me searching for a replacement.

ParkRat09
05-17-2012, 20:18
No those are solid. I sell gear at a store in TN for a living and I sell a lot of those Adventurers and that's a great price. I would get it if you are wanting UV purification. But ALWAYS have backup water purification regardless. I recommend Aqua-Mira liquid drops. Also, depending on your trip length, backup CR123 batteries for it.

awwstin
05-17-2012, 20:20
Ok great thanks. I want a light weight way to filter. If I had learned one thing here is to always have a back up.

ParkRat09
05-17-2012, 20:23
Ok great thanks. I want a light weight way to filter. If I had learned one thing here is to always have a back up.
Yes that is a very big deal esp when relying on electronics. Happy trails!

4shot
05-17-2012, 21:00
steripens are great for short hikes (I have one). For longer hikes (6 weeks or more) not so reliable. Aqua Mira (or equivalent) is the preferred choice for long distance hikes.

leaftye
05-17-2012, 21:36
Ok great thanks. I want a light weight way to filter. If I had learned one thing here is to always have a back up.

Have you considered the Sawyer Squeeze kit? I'm pretty sure it's significantly lighter, and has no fuss or batteries to worry about. You do have to worry when temperatures drop below freezing...you sleep with the filter so it doesn't freeze.

awwstin
05-17-2012, 22:07
My dad has the sawyer squeeze. We used it two weekends ago. We had trouble filling the bags with water. Seemed like they didn't want to fill. Ended up using a plastic water bottle.

Why is a steripen not good for multi week hikes?

leaftye
05-17-2012, 22:42
All bladders are like that. You have to pour into them. A few of us fill it up with the cut off bottom of a Smartwater bottle.

It looks like both systems weigh the same. I was wrong about there being a weight difference.

heavyfoot
05-18-2012, 14:02
Why is a steripen not good for multi week hikes?

I'd like to know this, too. I take my Steripen on long hikes. Aqua Mira is my backup.

MyName1sMud
05-18-2012, 17:30
Am I the only one who carries a water filter on long hikes?

q-tip
05-19-2012, 00:26
I swear by it--my only real complaint is that when it failed on my 1/2 AT hike, they charged me a boatload to overnight it. I was really mad, but still use it and am taking it on my Colorado Trail thru in July.

Fred G
05-19-2012, 14:08
I've used a steripen for a few years. 1700 miles on the AT last year + miles in the Grand Canyon. New batteries may be needed in 10 -14 days, depending on how much water you're zapping. Extra batteries and Aqua Mire are my back ups--these weight as much as the steripen. Depending on the type of steripen, you may need a wide mouth bottle.

For real mucky, crappy stock ponds that are on the CDT or the AZT a filter is probably a better choice, unless you can collect some reasonably clearish water from the top of the pond.

WalksInDark
05-19-2012, 19:10
I bought the same device at REI about a month ago. I thought that the 20% coupons had expired?

mmaiolo81
05-19-2012, 19:48
Am I the only one who carries a water filter on long hikes?

I'm with you... I love my hiker pro

awwstin
05-19-2012, 21:37
I just got a new coupon that is valid now. Look online.

SunnyWalker
05-20-2012, 00:48
For lightest, isn't the Sawyer.com system lightest? Not counting weight on tablets of Aqua Mirah.

House of Payne
05-20-2012, 06:21
Good read. I have the adventurer bc I got it at a good price at the time. For now I will use it for my summer hikes. As far as size and weight is concerned I have seen other steripen models that are smaller and lighter to consider for my 2014 thru. Anyone have anything different than mine?

Winds
05-20-2012, 14:53
Good that's the best one in my opinion...how much is it? What's your ques about it?

I am just starting to look into the Steripen. (So I don't know much here.)

The reviews on this REI sold model are downright miserable though.
I would never trust this unit per the reviews.

http://www.rei.com/product/799003/steripen-adventurer-opti-water-purifier#pr-header-799003

No wonder it's sold for "such a great price" - it appears to be a piece of junk.
Out of 63 people who took the time to give a review, it scored 3.3 out of 5 - 66%.

I can't believe anyone would buy this unit?